Newspaper Page Text
Valuable Paper on Edegfield
County in 1876 by Mr.
Francis Simkins.
(Continued from second page.)
and yrite some in favor of Hamp
ton."
On August 15:, the Democratic
convention met in Columbia, all del
egates sincerely united in advancing
the interests of the white race, but
still divided as to the better policy
to secure this end. Applause from the
floor and the crowded galleries greet
ed every word councilling unity. On
the second day, the battle between
delay and action was fought to a fin
ish, the debate being between Butler,
Gary, Lipscomb and DePass, of Ker
shaw on one hand, and Conner, of
Charleston, on the other. By a vote
of eighty-eight to sixty-four the
Edgefield leaders were triumphant.
Butler, then amid enthusiasm nomi
nated Hampton for governor.
There was no other person in
South Carolina better fitted than this
nominee for the role of arousing
white sentiment and of convincing
Northern opinion of the liberal in
tentions of his party. Hampton was
the wealthy son of an illustrious and
aristocratic house in the state of
strong aristocratic traditions. His as
sociation with the Confederacy as
ranking officer from South Carolina
and as sometime chief of cavalry
(in the moment of defeat) made him
dear to the hearts of a people who
sherished so passionately a Lost
Couse.
He was of handsome physique a
leader o? men without military train
ing, and was filled with enthusiasm
for the cause of white supremacy. To
appeal to the negTo and Northern
opinion were qualities of moderation
not possessed by Gary and Butler.
He always cherished a sincere love
for the black man in the role of me
niel; he had opposed Secession and
was ready to boast the fact that he
had early advocated Southern acqui
escense in the recent amendments to
the constitution of the United States,
giving the negro full civil rights. But
for his moderating influence, the
plans of the South Carolina revolu
tionists might have failed.
Yet Hampton was by no means
possessed of those full qualities of
genius with which his uncritical ad
mirers have since endowed him. He
was a most ordinary speaker with
little variety of utterance. He was
possessed of a limited intelligence.
Like the Julius Caesar of Shakes
peare, his was a name, and personal
ity to conjure with; others possessed
of less reputation and more powers
of understanding and action were
destined to supplement the move
ment of which he was nominal head
by the use of qualities that he did
not possess. In the opinion of Ball
and Tillman, he went to his grave be
lieving that his powers of eloquence
in the canvass of the state converted
enough negroes to secure his elec
tion.
The Democratic plan of campaign
moved on two lines of strategy: The
first was ih.2 Hampton canvass of
ovations and words which served to
arouse the whites and play upon the
sentiment of the North. This supple
mented by the real and effective use
of force which was effectively hidden
beneath the Hampton pageant. By
these methods, in which the Edgefield
leaders took leadership, the campaign
of 1876 was won, and not by the
oratory of Hampton. I shall there
fore omit from my article consider
ation of the canvas that opened at
Anderson and closed in Columbia.
Back of the conservative speech
es of Hampton and the moderate
editorials of Dawson was the deter
mination of the advocates of the
Straight-Out Policy to drive the Re
publicans from power by the contin
ued prudent use of force. For this
purpose military clubs, which as early
as 1867 had been recognized, as
harmless social clubs, were by the
summer of 1876, multiplied into for
midable military organizations that
in reality performed in their way,
more of the functions of governmenn
than the government; in Columbia.
They were by express statute out
lawed. The ostensible purpose of their
.existence was the protection of
whites against black organization
then a real danger; their more im
mediate purpose was to strike terror
into the hearts of the black majori
ty. Babbit, Chamberlain's private sec
retary, enumerates with places or or
ganization and names of officers287
of the "rifle clubs," "artillery com
panies" and "red shirt brigades." In
five counties no data could be obtain
ed concerning their organization ow
ing to the risk of securing informa
tion. Multiplying 287 by 50 (average
number in company) we have 14,350
men duly enrolled. We are safe in!
concluding that the actual number of
men included all the white males able
to ride. Edgefield County led the list
with thirty-five of these companies;
Aiken came next with twenty-nine.
Their activity consisted of: First,
breaking up or disturbing Republi
can meetings; second, defensive and
offensive action against negroes guil
ty of crimes; third, dexterous action
on election day; fourth, making
Chamberlain's attempts to be govern
or of more than the state house a de
facto farce. The first of these numer
ated lines of activity demands detail
ed treatment.
On August 12, three days before
the Democratic convention, the prac
tice of forcibly disturbing Republi
can meetings as first resorted to
in Edgefield by six hundred mounted
and fully armed white men under the
leadership of Butler and Gary. Gov
ernor Chamberlain, Judge Mackey,
and Robert Smalls, a colored mem
ber of congress-the speakers of the I
day-were forced to listen to the
two Edgefield Generals, backed by
the drawn pistols of their retainers,
roundly denounce the governor.
Chamberlain's speech was interrupted
by jeers. Butler replied in bitter
words in which he demanded that
the charges of the governor concern
ing the Hamburg Riot be proven. The
third speaker, Mackey, fearful of the
personal safety of the Republican
leaders, was very mild in his words.
While he spoke the improvised stand
collapsed. The last speaker, Gary, ac
cused Chamberlain of fraud and per
sonal dishonor. He, at a later meeting
declared "that the Democrats would
carry this county peaceable, but car
ry it they would." Chamberlain left
the village of Edgefield in hot haste,
never to return. At a later date on
which he was scheduled to speak here',
the train en route was searched vain
ly at every station by armed men in
search of the illusive governor. The
conduct of interrupting Republican
meetings, begun in Edgefield was re
peated in Newberry, August 18, and
at almost every meeting at which Re
publicans tried to speak. Only at
Chainhoy, Charleston County, did the
negroes get the better of the day;
there the whites were driven away
and six of their number killed.
The effect of this practice of di
viding time is obvious. The Republi
can orators and audiences were
frightened into a timid campaign of
defense. The governor himself, the
equal of any South 'Carolinian in
peaceful debate, became thoroughly
frightened by the "rebel yell" and
the open display of revolvers. The
timid leaders became so discomfort
ed that the Union Herald, Chamber
lain's organ, declared: "Public meet
ings are not necessary to arouse Re
publicans or inform them." , Cham
berlain's frequent trips north during
the heat of the campaign were ascrib
ed to fear.
The conduct at Hamburg bore
in another riot in Aiken County
known as the Ellenton Riot; impor
tant because the series of events
growing out of it lead to the procla
mations of the governor and the pres
ident of the United States demanding
the dispersion of the rifle clubs. These
orders were not obeyed. On August
17 came the war department order
to General Sherman ordering the dis
patch of all available troops in the
military district of the Atlantic, to
South Carolina as reinforcements to
the eight companies of 589 officers
and enlisted men already in the
state. General Ruger, the general in
command at Columbia, divided the
troops sent to him, which on election
day consisted of 1,526 in all, into
sixty-seven different units distribut
ed throughout the state. 113 men
were sent to Edgefield, the largest
contingent except at headquarters.*
All evidence indicates that the tem
porary benefits derived from the re
inforced military occupation mpre
than offset effect expressed in the
justified alarm of those fearful for
civil liberty and government. Accord
ing to General Conner the troops did
not in any instance interfere with the
voting. The Democratic members of
the committee later charged with the
investigation of the situation in South
Carolina in 1876 said that the bear
ing of the troops was "prudent and
wise." The testimony of B. R. Till
man is to the same effect. The troops,
in fact, resolutely refused to inter
fere with either side by force pre
venting the other from voting. While
they were in the state there was only
one serious riot. Hampton's advice to
the people of Aiken to submit was
obeyed. The people of Charleston
feted the gentlemanly West Point
officers.
Intense excitement and remarka
ble good order prevailed on election
day, November 7, 1876. The slowly
arriving returns indicated as doubt
ful who had a majority .Robbins Box
Barnwell county, having been thrown
out. There the voting place had been
fired upon, and the box removed to
an abandoned school house from
(Continued on sixth page.)
*Reynolds, Reconstructionn in S.
C. is in error when he says 5,000
troops were in state.
For Sale and Rent.
I have Some good mules, a nice
mare, some Jersey cows and farm
tools for sale at attractive prices.
Also wagons and a practically, new
buggy.
My home dwelling with water and
modern fixtures, farm well, fenced
and several pastures, for rent. Will
give a desirable working man a good
chance. Come and see.
G. D. MIMS,
10-12-2t. Clarks Hill, S. C.
FOR SALE: One fine pointer bitch,
well broken, good qualities.
10-5-2t S. W. MILLER.
The Edgefield Mercantile Company
offers its entire stock of buggies,
wagons, furniture, rugs, stoves, etc.,
at unheard of prices for cash. Come
one and all and see our goods and
prices and buy what you have needed
for a long time.-Advertisement.
Notice of Sale of Real Estate.
In the District Court of the United
States for the Western District of
South Carolina.
In the matter of S. J. Neal, bank
rupt.
Pursuant to an order signed by S.
M. Smith, Esq., Referee in Bank
ruptcy, I will proceed to sell at pub
lic outcry in front of Edgefield Court
House, at Edgefield, South Carolina
on November 7th, 1921, the follow
ing described realty: .
Tract No. One : That tract contain
ing two hundred acres, more or less,
in Edgefield County, Ward Township,
and bounded by lands of Huiet, Wil
liams, Clark, Neal, Holmes and being
on the Augusta-Columbia road and
known as the Jack Holmes Mill Place.
Tract No. Two: That tract being
in Edgefield Counnty, Ward Town
ship, containing twenty-three acres,
more or less, and bounded by Neal,
Lott, Posey, and being a part of the
S. J. Neal estate.
Terms of Sale: One-half cash and
the balance in one year or all cash at
the option of the buyer.
Any information relative to the
above may be had by applying to the
undersigned at Edgefield, South Caro
lina.
O. B. ANDERSON,
Trustee.
10-12-3t.
County Treasurer's Notice.
The County Treasurer's office will
be open for the purpose of receiving
taxes from the fifteenth day of O?-?
tober, 1921 to the fifteenth day of
March, 1922.
All taxes shall be due and pay_
aWe between the fifteenth day of
October, 1921 and December the
thirty first, 1921.
That when taxes charged shall not
be paid by December the thirty first,
1921 the County Auditer shall pro
ceed to add a penalty of one per
cent, for January and if taxes are
not paid on or before February the
first 1922, the County Auditor will
proceed to add two per cent, and
five per cent additional, from the
first of March to the fifteenth of
March, after which time all unpaid
taxes will be collected by the Sheriff.
The tax levies for 1921 are as fol
lows:
Mills
For State purposes_12
For Ordinary County_ll
For Past Indebtedness_5
For Constitutional School tax__3
For Antioch _8
For Bacon School District_14
For Blocker _8
For Blocker.Limestone_4
For Colliers _}4
For Flat Rock_8
For Oak Grove_3
For Red Hill_8
For Edgefield _10
For Elmwood No. 8_8
For Elmwood No. 9_2
For Elmwood No. 30 _2
For Hibler _8
For Elmwood L. C._3
For Harmony _3
For Johnston_16
For Meriwether (Gregg) _2
For Moss _3
For Brunson School_4
For Ropers_1_2
For Shaw_4
For Sweetwater_v'_4
For Talbert_8
For Trenton ._14
For Wards _ 8
For Wards No. 33_4
For Blocker R. R. (portion_6
For Elmwood R. (portion_6
For Johnston R. R._3
For Pickens R. R._3
For Wise R. R._3
For Corporation_30%
All male citizens between the
ages of 21 and 60 years, except those
exempt by law, are liable to a poll
tax of One Dollar each.
All owners of dogs are required to
pay the sum of $1.25 for each dog of
the age of six months or older. This
is not included in the property tax
but a tag must be purchased from the
County Treasurer for each dog be
tween October 15, and December 31,
of each year.
The law prescribes that all male
citizens between the ages of 18 and
55 years must pay $4.00 commuta
tion tax. No commutation is included
in the property tax. So ask for read
tax receipt when you desire to pay
road tax. Time for paying road tax
will expire February i, 1922. v
J. L. PRINCE,
Co. Treas. E. C.
3
Car Owners w?
hardest; more gu
powerful carcass.
Skid tread with a
sure traction. F
the car owners.
Recon
Cord Tires buil
way could not f
mileage. Every da
the country, comes
10,000, 20,000 or ?
frequent and con
Firestone Tire & Rubber C
Jacksonville Branch,
acksonville, Florida.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the h
?tone Cord tire. This tire
I have retreaded it seven
mileage to each retread
ing was about 7.DOC. I
think you will agree this
is a remarkable record.
It is especially unusual
as I know the owner to
be a severe driver. How
ever, he gives his tires
proper inflation. The tire
in question is not yet
out of service and has
every indication of bein;
?ufneiently strong for an
other retread. I am
mailing photographs un
der separate cover.
C. ?. Pennty,
Plant City, Fla.
YONCE
Lombard
Foundry, Machine? Boiler
Works and Mill Supply
House
AUGUSTA GEORGIA
Cotton Oil, Gin, Saw, Grist, Cane,
Shingle Mill, Machinery Supplies and
Repairs, Shafting, Pulleys, Hangers,
Grate Bars, Pumps, Pipe, Valves and
Fittings, Injectors, Belting, Packing
Hose, etc Cast every day.
GASOLINE AND KEROSENE
ENGINES
Pumping, Wood Sawing esd Feed
Grinding Outfits
Eyes scientifically examined and
glasses properly fitted.
GEO. F. MIMS,
Optometrist-Optician,
Edgefield, S. G.
J. S. BYRD
Dental Surgeon
Office Over Store of
Quarles & Timmerman ^
Office Phone No. 3 .
Residence Phone 87
PURE BRED DUROC JERSEY
-HOGS
I am breeding nothing
but absolutely Pure Bred
Duroc hogs, all registered,
and have pigs, both sexes,
ready for delivery.
Edgefield farmers can
get the BEST in hogs right
at home, without paying
express. Express is a big
item now. See or write me.
W. E. B. Tompkins,
Edgefield, S. C.
Route 3.
Only One "BROMO QUININE**
Co get the genuine, call (or full name, LA.'
UVE BROMO QUININE. Look for signature ol
S. W. GROVE. Cures a Cold in One Day, Stops
cough and headache, and works off cold, 25c
nary
mt more rubber on the tread where the wear is
m between cord plies to perfect a resilient and
And they want a scientifically constructed Non
ill angles and contacts to resist skidding and give
irestone Cord Tires have met these demands of
Read Letters Below
is from 29,000 to 57,000 Miles
t the Firestone Now and then they are empha
ail to produce sized by unusual instances such
y, from all over as quoted g below. . Performances
? the word that like these demonstrate the ulti.
10,000 miles are mate possibilities of Firestone
sistent records. Cords under careful driving.
Sept 10, 1921 _ " . r s^Pfc 2- 19M
u The Harvey E. Mack Co.,
Thirteenth Sc Harmon Place,
Minneapolis.
Gentlemen :
?story of m 33x4 Fire- . It occur? to me that you ?Jrtt b? j?* .ereitid
has run 57,000 miles. ?J the mileage that I obtained from ?Le set Of
times. The averaee Firestone Cord tires on my Dodje coup?. The
first tire went over 21,
j ' i OSO railes. The second
30X3J/2 ?R^tSUfer1*
i^rJcT-r ^ JZTl ' 8 chains. The two front
NfOJtM S KI 113 m fi tires have Eone bett.*
rvvrrn A. - , _ -g-, than 35,000 miles and aie
p*. /y i. Jtv<f\. CJ' ?& Ec . i still in ?rood condition. I
M ?id ^If^BA ,.T-->. uaw fl expect to get at lea: t
fi ?SS n 40,000 miles from each cf
i JL 6" ^? ^?LJrr them. I need scarcely
Jj "T* ?Hana? say ^at y,,, Firestone
I In thu fabric tire as in our cord tires Cord will be my tirs
I only Firestone resources and exaeri- choice for the future.
ence can provide this quaaty at this *?ft&|?Bfc.
i pnCe* Mi-n*??oSs.
& MOONEY, Edgefield, S. C.
Consult Your Own Interest by Consulting Us
When Buying
Metal or Composition Roofing
Mantis, Tiling, Grates
Trim Hardw ar
Wall Board
Doors, Sash, etc.
FROM
Youngblood Roofing and
Mantel Company
635 Broad St. Telphone 1697
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
THE FARMERS BANK
OF EDGEFIELD, S. C.
Capital and Surplus.$175,000.00
SAFETY AND SERVICE IS WHAT WE
OFFER TO THE PUBLIC
Open vour account with us for th*? v*?ar 1921. Invest your
savinp? in one of our Interest Bearing Certificates of
Deposit.
Lock boxes for rent in which to keep your valuable pa
per?, etc.
All business matters referred to us pleasantly and carefully
handled. We Solicit Your Business.
